WINDOW IN TO A WORLD
For this assignment, the goal was to create an audiovisual (AV) installation that combined both sound and visuals. The theme “Window into a World” focused on building a window into another reality — an experience that transports the viewer to a different world.I completed this project individually. Starting from my own concept, I developed an installation that used projection, sound, and atmosphere to construct a unique environment. The intention was not only to show something to the audience, but to make them feel as if they had stepped into another dimension.
Maker:
Chenoa de Boer
Concept of WINDOW IN TO A WORLD
The concept of my project revolves around a person who feels trapped in the monotony of daily life and longs to break free. The story follows this individual’s attempt to escape — symbolically represented through a painting. The character literally climbs out of the painting, breaking through the wall into another world, searching for freedom and change.
The viewer plays an active role in this process. By pressing a button, they help the character make the decision to escape, becoming part of the narrative and influencing the moment of transformation.
However, the escape doesn’t last. The piece ends in an anti-climax: the person is inevitably pulled back into the painting, returning to the same confined reality they tried to leave behind. This ending reflects the cyclical nature of routine and the struggle many people face when trying to escape from their own patterns.
The audiovisual installation uses projection and sound to enhance the feeling of entrapment and fleeting liberation, immersing the viewer in the tension between freedom and repetition.
OFFICIAL SET UP
TESTING SETUP
TESTING HANGING SHELF
LOOP ANIMATION
The proces and technical approach
At the start of the project, I explored how to physically set up the installation. Since I wasn’t allowed to drill holes into the wall, I had to find creative ways to hang and position the elements securely. Once the setup was in place, I took reference photos to plan and align the projection mapping accurately.
I animated the character in After Effects, bringing the story of the person escaping the painting to life. After finishing the animation, I moved into TouchDesigner to handle the projection mapping and make sure every visual element matched perfectly with the physical space.
I also created the audio in Ableton Live, designing sound effects and ambient layers that followed the character’s movement and emotions. The audio was closely synchronized with the animation, so that every motion from subtle gestures to the dramatic escape — was reinforced by changes in sound and rhythm.
To make the installation interactive, I connected a button through a Makey Makey. When the viewer presses the button, it triggers an event in TouchDesigner that switches the video — showing the moment the character escapes the painting. After the sequence plays, the system automatically returns to the looping idle state, completing the cycle of escape and return.
This process combined technical experimentation with storytelling, blending animation, sound design, projection, and interactivity to create an immersive audiovisual experience.
REFLECTION
In the final stages of the project, I added extra panning to the sound to give the audio more motion and spatial feeling. This already improved the sense of space, but with more time I would expand this even further to create a stronger sense of immersion.
There are several improvements I would make if I had more time to continue developing the installation. The feedback I received focused on refining the animation, enhancing the sound design, and exploring deeper interaction. I would work on creating smoother and more natural movement for the character, as certain transitions could feel more fluid. In the audio, I would add more variation, including better-timed footsteps and more depth across the different layers to give the environment a richer atmosphere.
Another idea I wanted to explore was adding a motion sensor. This would allow the installation to respond more dynamically to the viewer’s presence or actions, making the “window” feel even more alive and reactive.
Overall, this project taught me a lot about combining animation, sound, projection, and atmosphere into one cohesive experience. The feedback helped me see where the installation could grow further, and it made me more aware of how detailed audiovisual choices can enhance the feeling of stepping into another world.